Lotfy Nathan’s horror film, set in Roman times, draws from various Biblical stories, weaving them into a surprisingly complex narrative. At its core is The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, a surviving text from the second century that tells the story of Jesus’s childhood between the ages of five and twelve, focusing on the challenges and temptations he faced. The film portrays Jesus (played by Noah Jupe) as a relatable teenager discovering his extraordinary abilities – his power over life and death feels like a strange and potent part of growing up.
Early religious scholars rejected the Infancy Gospel of Thomas because it showed Jesus as imperfect and occasionally even unkind. This unsettling portrayal carries over into Nathan’s depiction of Jesus, who appears caught between goodness and wickedness. Twenty-one-year-old Jupe, playing the role of Jesus (and known only as “The Boy”), presents him as a passionate and headstrong young man, oblivious to both his own powers and the ways of the world.
Nathan’s movie is captivating and often disturbing, culminating in a particularly powerful ending. However, it relies heavily on viewers already knowing the original story it’s based on. The most significant issue is the strange choice to cast Nicolas Cage and FKA twigs as the adoptive parents. Their well-known public images distract from the film’s careful attention to time and place, making it hard to see them simply as the characters.
The Carpenter’s Son Portrays Jesus As A Man More Tempted By Evil Than By Benevolence
Most of the film The Carpenter’s Son is set in AD 15 and focuses on a teenage Jesus who doesn’t know the truth about his birth or that he’s been adopted by the man known as the Carpenter (Cage). The Carpenter often narrates with mysterious thoughts about death and reveals his son has a power he can’t comprehend. He’s deeply concerned about the boy discovering his true identity, repeatedly stating they must leave immediately if that happens. He believes trouble will find them, warning that “calamity follows us.”
The family finds themselves in a small village—though it looks more like Greece than Egypt—where Cage takes a job building religious idols, a task that goes against his beliefs. They hide their true identities to avoid trouble with the local religion, and both the Carpenter and the Boy are haunted by disturbing dreams of crucifixion. Soon, the Boy meets a sinister stranger named Isla Johnston who tries to corrupt him with risky games and temptations. During one of these games, she dares him to get as close as possible to a leper, and ultimately pushes him onto the man while laughing cruelly.
Okay, so things really start to get weird for the Boy when the leper he’s with suddenly begins to heal, and everyone in town starts buzzing about how it might be a miracle. It throws the Boy for a loop, and he tries to figure out what’s happening – he even tests it by crushing then bringing a grasshopper back to life! Honestly, while all that is going on, Cage is just losing it, screaming constantly and overacting like crazy. You can almost see the imprint of his teeth in the scenery, it’s that intense.
While the film boasts strong performances from Jupe and Johnston, who truly elevate the story, Twigs feels miscast in her second major role following The Crow remake. Her calm presence doesn’t quite fit a character supposedly chosen by God. This casting choice is especially strange given the film’s attempt to present a legendary tale as factual. Ultimately, The Carpenter’s Son succeeds in portraying the complex struggle between good and evil, largely thanks to Jupe’s portrayal of a deeply vulnerable character, making the deity feel surprisingly human.
Whether or not it strays from traditional beliefs, the story is undeniably compelling, even if it relies heavily on atmosphere and feeling. It’s unfortunate that the movie isn’t as engaging as the actor’s performance. The first two parts are slow-paced and filled with symbolism that doesn’t quite come across clearly. However, the film builds to a thrilling and terrifying climax, depicting Jesus facing temptation and confronting the deception of those closest to him. If this is truly what Jesus endured before becoming a symbol of pure goodness, it’s a powerful testament to his strength of character. Thanks to the beautiful and immersive cinematography, this portrayal of the Son of God feels incredibly real and immediate.
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2025-11-12 01:03